"Ah, you dare hit me! I don't want to live anymore! Madam, please look! How can this lowly concubine survive in the General's Mansion? I just couldn't stand by and watch. If it weren't for Second Miss's good fortune, she would be dead by now! Can't I even get justice for Second Miss? This is trying to force me to my death! Madam, you must stand up for me!" Aunt Hong gritted her teeth in hatred, shaking her head incessantly, and fell to the ground to start a tantrum, but she managed to dodge several slaps from Mama Lin.
Old Madam Ning's face was extremely ugly. For Madam Ning to order someone to be beaten right in front of her was blatant disrespect. In truth, Madam Ning was furious. She had never taken Concubine Hong seriously; Concubine Hong was obedient and always served her subserviently, something Madam Ning could at least give a slight word to. But this Concubine Hong dared to turn around and side with Concubine Ming, trying to seize her power! How could a proud person like Madam Ning tolerate this!
Seeing this, Aunt Ming's eyes flashed with smugness. This Ning Shi was proud and stubborn, difficult to tame. Her personality was similar to, yet diametrically opposed to, that of Old Ning Shi. The two could never get along peacefully; they just hadn't shown it on the surface before. When she entered the manor, Aunt Ming had thoroughly analyzed the pros and cons, and thus immediately chose Old Ning Shi as her protector. Over the years, she had also learned some of Ning Shi's habits. It was understandable that Ning Shi was angry today, and it was perfectly normal that this would provoke even more dislike from Old Ning Shi. When Old Ning Shi could no longer tolerate it, that would be the time for Aunt Ming to get rid of Ning Shi and be placed in the rightful position!
Now that she has this opportunity, how could she not seize it!
“Madam, the Second Miss is seriously injured and is being treated in the back hall. It’s understandable that Aunt Hong is so agitated. As a woman, you should understand Aunt Hong’s feelings. Everyone has seen what the Third Miss has done over the years. Madam may seem strict, but she actually dotes on her a lot. You should understand Aunt Hong very well. So please understand Aunt Hong’s feelings right now and forgive her for speaking without thinking…” Aunt Ming said sadly.
But what she actually said was all about how Ning Shi spoiled Ouyang Yue. All the mistakes Ouyang Yue had made over the years were due to Ning Shi's improper upbringing. Now that things had developed to this point, Ning Shi also had to bear a lot of responsibility. Now that something had happened, she wanted to shirk responsibility. She was truly selfish and incompetent!
Ning squinted at the troubled-looking Aunt Ming and snorted coldly, "Are you trying to teach me how to do things?" Ning felt that Aunt Ming and Aunt Hong were ganging up on her, so naturally she had nothing nice to say. However, her words were actually quite offensive.
"No, no, no, Madam, this humble concubine absolutely did not mean that. I was just feeling sorry for you... Please don't be angry, Madam." Concubine Ming felt somewhat wronged after being reprimanded, but this only made Madam Ning even angrier.
Seeing that everyone was making a ruckus and forgetting about her, the person involved, Ouyang Yue found a place to sit down. The mother, with her head down, glanced at Ouyang Yue for a moment before lowering her head again.
Ouyang Yue sat down, listening with great interest. There had always been internal strife in the General's Mansion, but it had never been openly discussed. However, it was now clear that neither Concubine Hong nor Concubine Ming could remain silent. Madam Ning felt her position was somewhat precarious and had become much more outspoken. Old Madam Ning had always thought she could control everything and maintain balance within the mansion; clearly, this idea was no longer valid!
In the back garden of the General's Mansion, a furtive figure kept peeking out and looking around. Suddenly, a figure flashed up behind her. She was startled and was about to shout, but seeing the other person's cold and displeased expression, she swallowed her words and asked with some suspicion, "You... who are you? This is the General's Mansion. Not just anyone can break in."
This person was none other than Granny Ai, who had run out to hide and escape after hearing the fire. However, not long after she ran out, Granny Ai was knocked down. She was in so much pain that she lay on the ground for a long time without getting up. By the time she remembered to curse, the person had already run far away.
However, when she got up, she found a note, and after reading it, she almost wet herself. The note had a few lines scribbled on it, each line detailing the sordid things she had done over the years. If this got out, she would never be able to live in the capital again!
The last note told her to wait alone in the general's mansion's back garden; if she told anyone, her body would be left to rot in the streets the next day. Granny Ai, having come from an official background, was quite worldly-wise. She had no doubt that the person who had found out about her affairs wanted her dead, or at least that she was still alive. But once she met the person, she couldn't immediately show weakness, otherwise she would be even more easily manipulated!
Opposite Granny Ai stood a very tall and strong man in black, his face covered with a cloth, revealing only a pair of eyes that held a hint of cruelty and bloodlust. Even Granny Ai, who had been in the palace for many years, couldn't help but feel her legs go weak at the sight.
"I know you like money, so I'm bringing you some now. Just do as I say, and this bag of silver is all yours." The man in black took out a bag of silver, which, according to Granny Ai's experience, was at least three to five hundred taels. She gasped, her eyes widening, but she quickly regained her composure. "I... I'm just an old nanny who left the palace, what can I do..." But her eyes lingered on the bag of silver with reluctance.
"Whoosh!" The man in black suddenly drew a sword and held it to Granny Ai's neck. "I'll give you silver and we'll talk things over, but you won't? Fine, I'll kill you first, then we can talk, how about that?"
Granny Ai's face turned deathly pale with fright, for she could clearly feel the cold sword slowly approaching her neck. She had no doubt about the man in black's words; money talks, and with money, how could he not find someone? Granny Ai immediately cried out in terror, "I'll agree, I'll agree to anything, please...please don't kill me!" In truth, Granny Ai had only wanted more silver before, but now she dared not utter a single word, her forehead dripping with cold sweat.
The man in black sneered, "You're quite a clever one."
Granny Ai smiled obsequiously, "No, no, I'm so stupid, how could I compare to the young master's intelligence?"
The man in black said in a very cold voice, "What I want you to do is very simple. If anyone asks you again about what you said to the old lady of the General's Mansion, you must tell the truth!"
“You…” Granny Ai’s eyes widened. She had been very careful when she went to complain to Old Madam Ning. This man in black was clearly not from the General’s Mansion. How did he know? Could it be that the General’s Mansion had been guarded, no, monitored all along?
When she left the palace, the infighting among the empresses and princes was intensifying. Could it be...?
Granny Ai shuddered!
Granny Ai was mainly in charge of teaching in the palace. Although she was greedy for money, she received a lot of rewards in the palace. She was also quite clever. She noticed that the atmosphere in the palace was not good, and she was almost of age to leave the palace, so she asked someone to pass on silver to let her out early.
Money was just as easy to earn outside the palace. For example, when she was invited to the General's Mansion, Concubine Hong and Concubine Ming pooled their money to help her with errands. This kind of thing happened frequently in various mansions; which mansion didn't have its own power struggles? And unlike in the palace, where she was constantly on edge, these mansions had to give her some face since she came out of the palace. In the past few years, Granny Ai had been living a life of ease, but now she was so scared that she was sweating profusely.
She knew that this person could easily ruin her, because he had many weaknesses against her. Granny Ai immediately pushed away the silver and said with a forced smile, "It's such a small matter, young master, please just say it. How could I dare to accept your silver?"
The man in black seemed to smile slightly: "Take it if I tell you to, otherwise, it's hard to say whether you'll live or die if you try to take it again."
Granny Ai's heart skipped a beat. It was truly a miracle that someone as greedy as her would refuse the money. But in reality, Granny Ai had her reasons for not accepting the money. By not accepting it, she was essentially giving face to the man in black or his master. Even if they later wanted to harm her, they would have to hesitate.
But clearly, the man in black wasn't appreciative, and Granny Ai had to do the job whether she accepted the money or not. She didn't know what kind of person the man in black was, and if she tried to play tricks and angered someone, it could still cost her her life. Wouldn't she be losing out if she didn't accept the money?
Granny Ai took back the silver and nodded repeatedly: "Young master, please rest assured, this old servant's mouth is as tight as a clam shell, and I will absolutely not reveal a word. As for this matter, please rest assured, this old servant will definitely do my best to satisfy you."
The man in black waved his hand: "Okay, go ahead. I trust you know what to do!"
With that, the man in black vanished without a trace in the back garden. Granny Ai touched her forehead; her hand was immediately soaked with sweat. She touched her neck, wiped it, and was about to leave with the silver when her hand suddenly trembled. "Clatter, clatter," the gleaming silver in her cloth bag fell to the ground. Granny Ai's legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground. Looking down at her hand, the bright red color terrified her. Her face pale, she trembled as she touched it again. When she did, her hand was clearly stained with blood again, proving it wasn't her imagination.
Granny Ai's heart trembled. It turned out that the sword had been filled with murderous intent. If she hadn't reacted quickly, she would already be a corpse. Granny Ai felt dizzy and bit her lip hard to keep herself awake.
"Now...now I can't be afraid, I have to get this done, or I'll really be dead." Clutching the silver haphazardly in her arms, Granny Ai lowered her head and rushed back to her courtyard. She quickly washed her face, wiped away the blood, and then went to Anhe Hall.
A black carriage was parked at the street corner behind the General's Mansion. From the outside, it looked like the kind used by ordinary families. A plain-looking coachman dressed in gray sat in the carriage, his arms crossed and his head drooping as he dozed off. At that moment, a dark figure swiftly flashed over. The gray-clad man remained motionless, his arms crossed, and his eyelids twitched slightly before disappearing into silence, as if he were fast asleep.
Inside the carriage, a man was hidden in the shadows. The man in black slipped in and immediately knelt down: "Master, the matter is settled."
The person in the shadows remained silent. The man in black looked at his master, his eyes flickered slightly before he lowered his head. He was actually quite curious as to why his master was meddling in the affairs of the General's Mansion. Wouldn't it be better for them if the General's Mansion was in chaos? That way, they could control their enemies amidst the chaos, wouldn't that be better?
"go back."
The voice from the shadows was clear and cold, yet as captivating as spring water. The gray-clad coachman outside, who had seemed to be fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and unwavering, and replied in a low voice, "Yes."
"Giddy up!" The coachman immediately started the carriage and headed towards Chenggan Street...
Inside Anhe Hall, Madam Ning was arguing with Concubine Ming and Concubine Hong. The three of them were red in the face and their necks were thick with anger. At this time, all the servants in Anhe Hall lowered their heads and remained silent, because they could all feel the old lady's anger. However, the three of them were arguing so fiercely that no one paid any attention to them.
Old Madam Ning was so angry that her chest heaved. They say three women make a drama, and such things happen in every household, but this was the first time since Old Madam Ning married into the Ouyang family that someone had so disrespected her and acted so disrespectfully in front of her. Even Concubine Ming, who had always harbored her own schemes, couldn't help but exchange accusations with Madam Ning, focusing entirely on arguing with her.
Old Madam Ning slammed her teacup down on the table in a fit of rage, silencing the entire hall. Madam Ning, Concubine Ming, and Concubine Hong's expressions changed slightly, while Old Madam Ning's face darkened. Her eyes swept around the room, and everyone who saw her shrank back, afraid to speak.
"You all know to shut up now? Do you even know where you are? What kind of behavior is this, making a scene in my Anhe Hall? Caiyue, as the wife of a general, how dare you argue with two concubines? Do you even know your place? And you two, you've got some nerve, talking back to your wife like that without any shame! Very well, very well, very well!" Old Madam Ning said "very well" three times in a row, making Concubine Ming and Concubine Hong feel a little guilty. In fact, they both knew that although Old Madam Ning and Ning Shi were aunt and niece, they were both strong-willed and could never get along like true aunt and niece. Old Madam Ning was intentionally suppressing Ning Shi, which was why they dared to act like this. But if Old Madam Ning were to investigate, they would definitely be in deep trouble!
Old Madam Ning snorted coldly: "Green-clad, give each of them ten slaps to wake them up!"
"Mother, I..." Ning's expression changed. Her behavior just now was indeed unbecoming, but if she was slapped in front of all the servants, how could she manage the household in the future!
Old Madam Ning looked at Ning Shi coldly. Ning Shi finally realized that it was useless to confront her head-on at this point. She looked back with a sense of grievance and pity. Old Madam Ning's lips curled slightly: "Go and count them. Not a single palm strike more, not a single palm strike less. If it's too much or too little, you'll have to bear the consequences!"
Madam Ning bowed her head and replied, "Yes!" Although Old Madam Ning had given her face, sending her to count the items wasn't a sign of her side, but rather a warning to keep an eye on her and not be too arrogant in front of Old Madam Ning. She might have forgiven her once, but that didn't mean she would forgive her a second time. In this General's Mansion, it was still Old Madam Ning who called the shots!
Aunt Ming and Aunt Hong felt a sharp pain in their hearts from the hatred, but dared not say anything more. Begging for mercy at this moment would only slap Old Madam Ning in the face, and then it would be more than just ten slaps.
The woman in green, accompanied by two rough-looking maids, bowed and said, "Mistress Ming and Mistress Hong have been rude. Beat them!" The two maids came over and, without any mercy, slapped Mistress Ming and Mistress Hong across the face. The clear, crisp sound of their slaps echoed in the hall.
After just two slaps, Aunt Hong and Aunt Ming's cheeks were flushed red. Humiliation and resentment flashed in their eyes as they looked at Ning Shi, who was counting "one, two, three..." and their hatred intensified.
Ouyang Yue sat quietly to one side, seemingly separated from the people in the hall by two different times and spaces, observing coldly with a mocking smile on her face.
After Aunt Ming and Aunt Hong were slapped and quietly retreated to the side, the hall immediately fell silent again. Suddenly, Old Madam Ning scolded, "You wretched child, you actually sat down! Do you even respect your grandmother?"
This refers to Ouyang Yue. Previously, when Old Madam Ning was dealing with Concubine Ming and Concubine Hong, she didn't interfere even though she saw Ouyang Yue acting so unruly. It's precisely because of this that reprimanding Ouyang Yue now would be more effective!
Ouyang Yue slowly stood up, bowed to Old Madam Ning, and said sincerely, "Grandmother, Yue'er naturally keeps you in her heart. There is a saying in Buddhism that everything in the world is illusory, and only when you have Buddha in your heart is it real. Yue'er truly keeps you in her heart, and a kind and wise person like you will naturally understand."
Old Ning's lips twitched slightly. Ouyang Yue's eyes were extremely bright, and there was not a trace of abnormality on her face, but no matter how she listened to these words, they sounded like you were mocking her, and she felt uncomfortable no matter how she listened to them.
Ouyang Hua frowned: "Third sister, what are you saying? You're clearly making excuses for your lack of manners and your lack of remorse. How can Grandmother listen to your words!"
Ouyang Yue looked disapproving: "Eldest sister, are you saying that Grandmother isn't a kind and wise person in your heart? You can't even see what I'm thinking? Eldest sister, you were loved and taught by Grandmother since you were a child. How wise and intelligent Grandmother is! Under Grandmother's leadership, the General's Mansion has always been prosperous and peaceful, which is enough to prove that Grandmother is exceptionally talented. Eldest sister, you are underestimating Grandmother too much!"
Ouyang Hua nearly bit her teeth to pieces with her strength. She immediately knelt down in fear: "Grandmother, no, that's not what Hua'er meant. Hua'er just thinks that Third Sister has committed a serious crime, and at such a time she can still sit idly by without any remorse. It's truly disheartening. I absolutely did not mean to look down on Grandmother. In Hua'er's heart, Grandmother will always be the wisest and most intelligent person."
"Oh, elder sister, you've gone too far with those words. Father will be returning soon, and the General's Mansion is going through a turbulent time. If anyone hears you say that, it will surely cause a lot of trouble. Although Grandmother is exceptionally intelligent, and Yue'er admires her the most, there are quite a few noble ladies in the capital with higher ranks than Grandmother. Moreover, there is even the Empress Dowager in the harem. If the Empress Dowager hears you use the word 'the most,' it will cause a lot of trouble for the General's Mansion!" Ouyang Yue exclaimed in exaggerated surprise.
Ouyang Hua was stunned, her eyes widened, and she rolled her eyes in anger. Ouyang Yue's words were so infuriating; no matter what she said, Ouyang Yue could find fault with it, and every word involved people she couldn't afford to offend. Ouyang Hua frantically shook her head, "I...I didn't mean that, Grandmother didn't...no, Grandmother is the most...I...I..."
Old Madam Ning's face darkened, a hint of annoyance flashing in her eyes: "Alright, get up. Stop saying such thoughtless things in the future. If you cause any trouble for the General's Mansion, see if I'll let you off the hook!"
As she said this, Old Madam Ning glanced at Ouyang Yue, which put Ouyang Hua in a difficult position. Ouyang Yue's expression was not one of schadenfreude, but rather as if she was genuinely considering the General's Mansion. Moreover, her expression was so perfect that even Old Madam Ning couldn't quite understand this granddaughter.
Old Madam Ning narrowed her eyes. Today's events were caused by the fire and Ouyang Yue and Ouyang Rou falling into the pool. She couldn't help but ask, "Aunt Zhang, is what you said true?"
Madam Zhang knelt down, looked up and nodded earnestly: "Reporting to Madam, this servant saw it all clearly. It was definitely the Second Miss who pushed the Third Miss into the pool, and Mr. Ning rushed to save her afterwards!"
"Oh? So you mean that Granny Ai lied back then? You'd better think this through. Granny Ai is a tutor from the palace. She's like a teacher to the young ladies in the manor. She's someone the young ladies respect their whole lives. I'm going to have her confront Rou'er and Mr. Ning. If you lie, I won't be able to help you then!"
Zhang Mama kowtowed three times to Old Madam Ning: "This old servant was brought from the Ning family by the old lady. I dare to swear to heaven that I am absolutely loyal to my master!"
Ouyang Yue listened from the side, raising an eyebrow slightly. There was something wrong with what Zhang Mama was saying.
Old Madam Ning's eyes flickered, and she waved for Green Robe to go find Granny Ai. Granny Ai was already lingering outside Anhe Hall. As soon as she saw Green Robe come out, she immediately pretended to be about to enter: "Oh, why is Miss Green Robe so free?"
The woman in green smiled and said, "What a coincidence, Granny Ai! The old lady was just instructing me to call you over."
Granny Ai was somewhat surprised: "Does the girl in green know why the old lady wants to see me?"
The woman in green shook her head: "The old woman will find out when she goes in."
"Oh? What happened? There was a fire in the backyard earlier, but luckily it's quite far from Anhe Hall, so it didn't spread here. Did they catch someone who started the fire? Let's go take a look." Granny Ai went in first, looking interested, followed by the woman in green.
As the two entered the hall, everyone turned to look at them. Even Granny Ai, who had been mentally prepared, felt a tremor in her heart: "Madam, I heard you were looking for me. Have you caught the arsonist? Alas, earlier at the school, when I heard there was a fire in the mansion, I panicked and ran out. Unfortunately, I tripped and fell halfway there, which is why I'm late. Madam, were you frightened? Such negligence must be severely punished!" Li Mama, the kitchen manager who had been sidelined because of Ning Shi's pleas, shuddered upon hearing this and glared hatefully at Granny Ai. Unfortunately, the latter didn't even look at her; her glare was futile.
Old Madam Ning smiled. Naturally, she wouldn't let outsiders interfere in matters within her own household. So, she didn't beat around the bush and said, "Granny Ai, I remember a few days ago, you told me something. You said you saw Yue'er and Mr. Ning arguing in a secluded place. Is that true?"
Granny Ai gave Old Madam Ning a strange look. Old Madam Ning hadn't intended to bring it up again that day, even giving her money to keep quiet. Bringing it up now was just a slap in the face, wasn't it? Old Madam Ning also looked somewhat embarrassed. The reason she hadn't told Granny Ai to speak out was for the sake of the household's reputation, but now that it concerned Ouyang Yue's murder of her sister, she had to put aside her pride. After all, this matter was far more serious, and naturally, it needed to be clarified!
Granny Ai was quite astonished. Old Madam Ning really asked about what happened that day. The man in black had actually predicted it so accurately. She was terrified and dared not be negligent: "Oh, it is indeed true!"
Upon hearing this, Ouyang Hua immediately exclaimed in shock: "Sister, how dare you! In broad daylight, you secretly met with a man, sending everyone else away! You... you don't care about the reputation of our family at all! So you really are as obsessed with him as Mr. Ning said. Second Sister wasn't lying. You must have been discovered by Second Sister in such a shameful matter, and in your anger and shame, you decided to kill him. Third Sister, we all share the same surname, Ouyang. We're blood relatives! How could you be so heartless! How can you face your second sister who has always loved and cared for you the most? How can you face Mother? How can you face Grandmother's expectations? You've disappointed me so much!"
Old Madam Ning's face darkened, and she waved for someone to take Granny Ai away so she could deal with Ouyang Yue. But Granny Ai exclaimed, "Eh? I didn't say that the Third Miss was having a secret rendezvous with Mr. Ning. What are you saying, Eldest Miss? How can you, as my student, utter such shameful words as having a secret rendezvous with a man? Have you forgotten everything I've taught you these past few days?" Ouyang Hua was taken aback by the look of disappointment on her face.
“But you yourself just said that such a thing happened.”
Granny Ai glared at her: "I did see it, but before I could finish speaking, Miss interrupted me. How am I supposed to continue?"
Ouyang Hua's face darkened, and she blinked repeatedly, trying to signal to Granny Ai. What was that old hag up to? Had she forgotten what they agreed on? Why was she talking back to her? Whose side was she on?
Aunt Ming also sensed something was amiss, but Granny Ai ignored them and said to the old lady, "I did see the Third Miss and this Mr. Ning alone that day, but what I heard was that Mr. Ning and the Third Miss were asking for directions, and the Third Miss even scolded Mr. Ning for entering the inner courtyard so casually, saying that men and women should not touch each other. As for the physical contact, I was probably a little tired from teaching all afternoon. I went back to get something that day and was standing at a corner. I only saw the Third Miss with her back to me, and I didn't see anything else."
"You, this is different from what you told Grandmother. Why did you change your attitude? Someone must have bribed you to talk nonsense!" Ouyang Hua was furious. No matter how composed she was usually, she was still just a young girl who hadn't experienced much of the world. She had originally had the upper hand, but suddenly the situation was reversed, so she naturally acted urgently and nervously.
Aunt Ming and Aunt Hong exchanged a glance, both realizing that something was definitely wrong, and they had a vague sense of unease.
"Bribed? Yes, someone bribed me." Granny Ai nodded upon hearing this, and Ouyang Hua chuckled. So this old woman was waiting for Ouyang Yue here.
Yes, if she had just said it directly, Ouyang Yue could have been convicted. But by pulling this stunt, Ouyang Yue only appears more cunning and despicable! The effect will only be better! However, this old woman is so greedy for money, she'll inevitably ask them for money afterward. But if this matter succeeds, they'll accept a little extra to shut her up!
Ouyang Hua couldn't help but look at Ouyang Yue with a smug expression. Ouyang Yue frowned. The reason she was so confident today was that she had sensed someone following her and secretly monitoring her for several days. Later, she sent Dongxue to counter-follow and discovered that it was Zhang Mama.
Ouyang Yue immediately realized this was Old Madam Ning's intention. Although she didn't know the reason, she wasn't afraid. The reason she was so easily taken away by Ouyang Rou today was precisely because Zhang Mama would be with her the whole time. No matter what tricks Ouyang Rou played, they would be futile. Of course, in the pool, she had tricked Ouyang Rou and Ning Zhuangxue into tangling and colliding. From Zhang Mama's angle, she certainly wouldn't see her actions underwater; she would only see Ning Zhuangxue and Ouyang Rou behaving improperly. Therefore, even being brought here and questioned by everyone, she wasn't afraid.
Old Madam Ning suspected that Zhang Mama had been bribed, but Zhang Mama was her dowry maid who came from the Ning family, and her words carried significant weight in Old Madam Ning's heart. Moreover, as far as she knew, Zhang Mama hadn't told the whole truth; she wasn't the only one present that day. She knew that Zhang Mama hadn't called those people up to save face for Old Madam Ning, but in the end, she was sure she would be fine. However, if Granny Ai got involved, things would become troublesome. Although she had ways to make Granny Ai's testimony unbelievable, it was best to avoid antagonizing such a person if possible. After all, Granny Ai wasn't from the General's Mansion and was only temporarily employed by Old Madam Ning as an instructor who would leave after a while. If she spread rumors outside, it would be a major obstacle to Old Madam Ning's slowly recovering reputation.
Ouyang Yue narrowed her eyes. It seemed she would have to find an opportunity to get rid of this Granny Ai!
No one expected that Granny Ai's expression would be so unexpected!
"I have kept the money that the old lady gave me to bribe me in my room and haven't touched it. You can ask someone to fetch it."
Old Madam Ning glared at Ouyang Yue with a sinister look. She had really misjudged her. She had thought that Ouyang Yue was just a bit simple-minded and arrogant, but she hadn't expected her to be so vicious and even try to bribe people. She had even sent Granny Ai to talk nonsense and play with her. How wonderful!
"Go and fetch the silver!"
Green Robe immediately led her servants to Granny Ai's room to fetch the silver. They returned shortly after. Granny Ai, seeing them back, sighed helplessly, "These past few days I've been teaching at the General's Mansion, and I've gotten to know the three young ladies quite well. I never imagined that the infamous Third Miss was actually such an intelligent and insightful person. From the moment we met, she has always respected me, and from what I've seen, she also greatly respects her two elder sisters. I've felt quite guilty during this time. I really can't bear to ruin the future of such a kind, simple, and intelligent woman. Aunt Hong, I am not worthy of this silver. Having done such a thing, I can no longer teach at the General's Mansion. I blame myself for being momentarily blinded by greed, and for listening to you and saying things that damaged the Third Miss's reputation in front of the Old Madam. I deserve to die!"
As she spoke, Granny Ai raised her hand and slapped herself repeatedly in the face. The force of the slaps was absolutely genuine, and both cheeks turned red. Her expression was one of deep regret, which made Old Ning's eyes flash with a dark aura.
Aunt Hong was shocked. She reached out and pointed at Granny Ai with trembling hands: "Granny Ai, I have no grudges against you recently, nor any hatred from the past. How could you accuse me like this? You were clearly bribed by the Third Miss to put on this show. If I really bribed you, why would you be so strict with the Second Miss during the lesson? You are clearly lying!"